Located between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge is believed to be the deepest river canyon in the world. The gorge is a display of powerful, raw nature, and it is naturally divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Hutiao. In the centre of the river’s mouth there is a large rock that is positioned at the canyon’s narrowest section (30 meters). Ancient legend says that a tiger once leapt from the rock to the west bank to escape a hunter, hence the gorge’s name. The canyon is flanked by mountains that sharply rise 3,000 meters on both sides. If you look down at the gorge from above, you can see the many rapids of the Golden Sands River. In the Middle Hutiao section, the river drops down a 100 meter long waterfall, crashing onto rocks and creating swirling whirlpools. Humans rarely traverse the gorge at this section, but on the slope between Middle and Lower Hutiao there is a small village called Hetaoyan. In last and lowest section of Tiger Leaping Gorge, the river creates high waves as it collides with the mountainside, creating perhaps the most popular site of the gorge, the Feixing Rapids. Hike the rigorous 15 kilometre scenic high trail, running along the base of Haba Peak, or for an adventure, raft down certain sections of the Golden Sands River.

Written by  Tara Fuller.

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